Mental Health Nursing with Registered Nurse Status

Entry requirements

We welcome applications from graduates in possession of a minimum 2:1 Bachelors Degree across a range of disciplines, eg biological sciences, health or social sciences. We will consider those with a 2:2 classification in their degree who are able to provide wider contextual information or recent relevant experience of further study. Non-science degrees may be accepted but each application will be considered on its own merits.

In addition applicants must also have GCSE grades 5-9 (or grades A*-C if assigned according to previous grading system), which include Maths, English Language and a Science (dual award is accepted).

Months of entry

January

Course content

The overall aim of this programme is to equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes you will need to meet the challenges of being a mental health nurse in the changing context of healthcare and to succeed in the modern National Health Service or Private, Voluntary and Independent Sector.

This two-year master's degree provides you with lifelong learning and working opportunities as well as a strong focus on nursing leadership. You will gain valuable theoretical knowledge alongside practical experience. The cohorts are small and this helps to ensure that you receive the support you require to help you get the best out of the programme.

Throughout the two years, you will gain extensive clinical experience in a variety of different settings, including inpatient wards, forensic and community settings.

Programme in detail

The MSc Mental Health Nursing 2022 curriculum provides a framework to inform the delivery of a practice-centred degree programme that seeks to produce graduates who are eligible to apply for registration in the field of Mental Health Nursing with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Each year of the programme is aimed at facilitating progressive development of skills which will enable you to meet the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses (NMC, 2018).

The MSc Mental Health Nursing degree focuses on caring for individuals across the lifespan. Emphasis on evidence based practice, the indivisible link between physical and metal ill health and leading and coordinating care will provide you with the proficiencies to apply to be a registered mental health nurse.

The degree also concentrates on the supportive role of the nurse with families of individuals being cared for. The degree will prepare you to practise as a knowledgeable, caring and compassionate nurse, proficient in professional and ethical practice, care delivery, care management and personal and professional development.

The taught modules will include the principles of mental health nursing practice, local and global determinants of mental health, research for professional practice, managing complexity in contemporary mental health practice and practice placement learning.

A flexible approach to practice learning will allow you to achieve outcomes in a variety of settings at different points throughout the two years. You will be well supported in both academic and practice learning environments.

Benefit from our experience in delivering more than 100 years of teaching across practical and professionally focused programmes.

Learn from experienced, registered, working practitioners

Our curriculum is developed and assessed by leading healthcare providers throughout the North West. Many such partners across the North West provide exciting placement opportunities.

Bring your learning to life through clinical experience

Gain a breadth of patient-focused practical experience in a region with a particularly diverse population, providing an invaluable insight to future roles.

Prepare for practice by studying with professionals from across the Health Sciences

Interprofessional learning modules reflect the multi-profession, team approach that you will encounter in today’s healthcare settings.

Please note that this programme is pending approval from the NMC.

Why Health Sciences?

Breadth of expertise

The School comprises of programmes in Diagnostic Radiography, Theraputic Radiography and Oncology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Orthoptics and Physiotherapy and has a vibrant Postgraduate/CPD portfolio. The School is committed to delivering quality research to the highest ethical standards in order to improve knowledge and services for the health of the community. Our multi professional cohort of staff has a strong research profile and is committed to developing policy, practice and technology for the improvement of healthcare and service delivery.

Contributing to the advancement of health care practice

We offer taught modular postgraduate programmes, and higher degrees by research, providing extensive opportunity for in-depth study and development of advanced clinical skills in a range of areas and contributing to the advancement of healthcare practice, management and professional education.

Continuing professional development provision

The School also offers a wide range of accredited and non-accredited CPD modules and hosts a vibrant daytime and evening short course programme to maximise opportunity for attendance. The most up-to-date information about these activities is to be found on the School website.

Career prospects

There is a recognised shortage of Mental Health Nurses in the UK (numbers have decreased by 10% over the past 10 years) and an estimated shortage of six million Mental Health nurses globally.

There are many reasons why you should consider a career in mental health nursing. It offers you the chance to make a difference to lives of individuals, their families and their carers.

Graduates in Mental Health Nursing are a vital part of modern health care, and employment opportunities are available in the UK and abroad.

Information for international students

International applicants whose native language is not English must show evidence of proficiency, to a standard equivalent to average academic level 7 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with no component lower than 7.

Fees and funding